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South America stretches from the Caribbean Sea in the Northern Hemisphere down to its most southerly point at Chile’s Cape Horn -- where the next stop is Antarctica. The world’s fourth-largest continent has numerous natural attractions, such as the Amazon rainforest, the Atacama desert and the Andes Mountains, but it also offers visitors a variety of man-made landmarks.

Historic Landmarks

The Peruvian mountain city of Machu Picchu is one of the best-known historic landmarks on the continent. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the city of Machu Picchu was originally constructed in the 1400s when the Inca Empire was at its height. The ruins stand 8,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by a stunning mountain landscape. Frommer’s recommends including an overnight stay in your visit to see the site in late afternoon and early morning. The nearby city of Cuzco stands even higher -- at 11,150 feet above sea level -- and also owes its origins to an Inca settlement. From the mid-1500s, Spanish conquistadors developed the city and left their mark in the form of Spanish-influenced churches, palaces and public buildings.

Scientific Landmarks

Brazil’s Itaipu Dam claims the title of the world’s largest operational hydroelectric power plant. The 26,000-feet-long dam took 26 years to build and uses the Parana River to generate electricity for Brazil and neighboring Paraguay. It provides around 25 per cent of the electricity used by Brazil and approximately 95 per cent of Paraguay’s power. For a fee of $27 (as of June 2012), you can take a guided tour going inside the dam. A very different scientific landmark stands 7,800 feet above sea level in the Chilean Andes. The clear mountain air made the area an ideal place for astronomical observatories. The La Silla Paranal station serves as the European Southern Observatory and houses three telescopes. Although primarily a research site, the station allows visitors to take a tour each Saturday, except during July and August.

Religious Landmarks

The majority of South America’s population is Roman Catholic, and the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo is home to the world’s second-largest Catholic church. The New Basilica, known in Portuguese as “Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida,” is 567 feet long and 552 feet wide, and can hold up to 45,000 people. In Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas was built in the 18th century to cater for thousands of gold prospectors in the region. Although a small church, its beautiful decoration draws on baroque, rococo and Expressionist styles, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a detour to visit.

Monuments

Overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado Hill, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of South America’s most instantly recognized landmarks. The 406-foot-high statue, completed in 1931, provides stunning views of the city. You’ll reach the statue via a narrow-gauge railway and, once there, take two escalators to the top. In Argentina, the country’s national memorial to soldiers killed in the Falkland Islands -- Las Islas Malvinas -- stands in Buenos Aries as a landmark to the 1982 conflict. Made up of a wall with lists of names, similar in style to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., the memorial is permanently guarded by members of the Argentine military.

About the Author

Rita Kennedy is a writer and researcher based in the United Kingdom. She began writing in 2002 and her work has appeared in several academic journals including "Memory Studies," the "Journal of Historical Geography" and the "Local Historian." She holds a Ph.D. in history and an honours degree in geography from the University of Ulster.

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